Bullock put the brakes on her streak of disastrous action flicks to do this sweet-as-molasses romantic comedy by Forest Whitaker. The perfect vehicle for her “girl-next-door” charms, she plays Birdee Pruitt, a woman who moves back to her small hometown after finding out (live on a national talk show no less) that her husband (Paré) is having an affair with her best friend (Arquette). Rowlands is a hoot as her overbearing mom, but it's Connick who steals the show as the ultra-smooth gentleman caller, Justin Matisse, who turns out to be Birdee's second chance at love. Despite some fine performances, a banal script sinks Hope Floats.